Official Opening of the North Queensland Kidney Transplant Service at the Townsville University Hospital

Member for Mundingburra, Mrs Janelle Poole MP; Member for Thuringowa, Ms Natalie Marr MP; Member for Townsville, Mr Adam Baillie MP; Townsville Hospital and Health Board Chair, Mr Tony Mooney AM, Chief Executive Adjunct Professor Kieran Keyes; North Queensland Kidney Transplant Clinical Director, Dr Michelle Harfield and staff; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by also acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Townsville and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this morning.

It is an honour to be here today as Governor to officially open North Queensland’s Kidney Transplant Service, located at the Townsville University Hospital.

Both Graeme and I are strong advocates for improving health outcomes for all Queenslanders, including those living in regional, remote or disadvantaged socioeconomic communities.

We know that people in these groups, along with those with disabilities and First Nations people, face higher rates of illness, hospitalisations and deaths compared to other Australians.

As part of my pledge to visit every public hospital in the State, earlier this week I visited the new Normanton Hospital which plans to open a renal dialysis unit next year. I have also been impressed by the standard of care delivered by health professionals during my visits to the renal units at Yarrabah and Thursday Island among others. I am passionate about these units being located in regional and remote areas, enabling ongoing care for patients closer to home.

In Australia, chronic kidney disease is a growing health problem. Due to our aging population, its prevalence is likely to continue increasing.

So, the launch of this new service at the Townsville University Hospital today is incredibly important for improving health outcomes for patients.

In our large and decentralised state of Queensland, this new service is not just an important milestone for Townsville residents, but also for northern and central communities across the State.

Until now, kidney transplants in Queensland have been solely performed at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. The Townsville University Hospital now offers the only regional kidney transplant service in Queensland. It will service the entire north of the state – from Cairns, to Cape York, Thursday Island, the Torres Strait, and west to Mt Isa and south to Mackay.

This centrally-located service will greatly improve equity and access to world-class kidney transplant services for patients, enabling them to be treated and cared for closer to home.

In terms of First Nations people, we know that the health burden of chronic disease for First Nations people is more than double that of other Queenslanders. Indigenous Australian adults are twice as likely as non-Indigenous Australians to have chronic kidney disease and almost four times as likely to die from the condition.

I am informed that First Nations people were among the wide range of stakeholders involved in the design of the Hospital’s Kidney Transplant Service. I commend all of those involved in developing and delivering a model of care which meets the needs of our First Nations people so they feel culturally safe, respected and supported throughout their transplant journey.

My husband Graeme and I both have medical backgrounds, and we are acutely aware that collaborations like these are essential if we are to Close the Gap in health outcomes for our First Nations people.

I extend my admiration and gratitude to all of those involved for their dedication over many years to bring this service to fruition – including the Townville Hospital and Health Service’s Board Chair Mr Tony Mooney AM and Chief Executive Adjunct Professor Keiran Keyes, to Queensland Health, local leaders, clinicians, health services staff and experts, patients and many others.

Your collaborative efforts and expertise will ensure the availability of a world-class kidney transplant service in this region. Thank you for the good work you continue to do in improving the quality of life, and the social and emotional wellbeing, of renal patients, their carers and families.

The Kidney Transplant Service will not only change lives, it will save lives!

It is with much pleasure that I now declare the North Queensland Kidney Transplant Service officially open.